Megan: Welcome to She Boss. This is a very important and special episode because we are sitting down with Ranae Bartlett, the brand-new mayor of the City of Madison, Alabama. I’m so glad you could squeeze us into your schedule on your first official week as mayor, which is just awesome. So how has it been five days in?
Ranae: It’s been great. I’m coming in with a new council—six out of seven new members. There’s a lot of energy and excitement, and that’s contagious. I’m doing great.
Megan: You’re spearheading a city that’s on fire in terms of growth and prosperity. The residential growth, the amazing school system—I could go on. Anyone who’s listened to this podcast knows I live in Madison and love it beyond belief. Let’s start with your background. I know you’re a bit of an open book now that you’re officially in this role. I was blown away to learn that you founded a chess organization here. Tell us more about your journey.
Ranae: I went to law school at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where I met my husband. We were moot court partners and started dating after winning a competition. We both worked in Bentonville, Arkansas, for Walmart. I was an assistant general counsel. After we had our son, I needed to slow down, so we looked for opportunities elsewhere. A contact recommended North Alabama, and we moved to Madison. My husband actually picked out the house with a realtor while I stayed behind. We’ve been in that same house for over 22 years.
Megan: That says a lot about your ability to delegate and not micromanage! So, you moved here with an 18-month-old. What was that like?
Ranae: It was a fresh start. I became a career law clerk for a federal judge in Huntsville, while my husband took a role at Intergraph. We had heard good things about Madison schools. I toured several but ended up at Rainbow Elementary, where my son started kindergarten. During that year, I decided to stop practicing law and began volunteering—book fair chair, PTA, and helping with the chess club.
Megan: And that led to starting a chess league?
Ranae: Exactly. My son wanted to join chess club, and I started helping. That led to more involvement, including taking a group to the Super Nationals chess tournament. I saw what national-level chess looked like and wanted to bring that back to Madison. We started the Madison City Chess League and integrated chess education into every school, supported by the nonprofit and the school board.
Megan: That’s amazing. And you also emphasized growing female participation in chess, right?
Ranae: Yes. We were intentional about supporting girls in chess, offering more social events to keep them engaged. Our program gained national recognition. We won a grant during the pandemic and hired a remote coach to train our girls. That effort culminated in a team from Discovery Middle School winning a national championship in Chicago.
Megan: Incredible! So how did that evolve into a national leadership role?
Ranae: I got involved with U.S. Chess through various committees. Eventually, I became Executive Director of U.S. Chess and served for about a year and a half. I thought that would be my trajectory until Mayor Finley announced he wasn’t running. After a lot of encouragement and consideration, I decided to run for mayor.
Megan: You’ve been deeply involved in the community for a long time. What are your hopes as mayor?
Ranae: During my time on the school board, we saw unprecedented growth and even passed a property tax increase to build more schools. As a city council member, I wanted to ensure responsible growth. My goal now is to collaborate and communicate across jurisdictions—Madison County, Limestone County, Huntsville City. Projects are expensive, and collaboration is essential.
Megan: Our region is often celebrated, but what challenges do you think aren’t talked about enough?
Ranae: Affordability in housing, homelessness, and food insecurity are real issues—even in Madison. We’ve seen an uptick in homeless students. It’s important to work with community partners, including faith-based organizations, to address these needs.
Megan: The Madison City School System is a huge draw. What makes it special?
Ranae: We never settle. We constantly strive to improve. Whether students want to go to college, serve in the military, or enter the workforce, we provide those paths. We work with industry to make sure our students are career-ready and have opportunities for internships, which are crucial for long-term success.
Megan: What’s your vision for the next couple of years?
Ranae: First, protect our investments in infrastructure and education. I also want to build a strong, collaborative team with the new city council. Each member brings a unique perspective. We’ll focus on growing our commercial and industrial tax base to balance the residential-heavy mix we currently have.
Megan: I have to mention the Madison Chamber of Commerce—they’re such a heartbeat of the community. I imagine you’ll be working closely with them?
Ranae: Absolutely. I was the city council liaison to the chamber during COVID. They faced challenges but have grown significantly under new leadership. Their energy and engagement have been tremendous, and I’m excited to collaborate with them.
Megan: The Civic Engagement Academy was a great experience. Madison is not a sleepy town anymore. It’s exciting to see the city lean into more communication and citizen engagement. I’m thrilled you’re at the helm. Thank you for everything you do for the community.
Ranae: Thank you. I’m excited for what’s ahead!